The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this post as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click on this link.
The 2015 ASUTIL Conference took place before a full-house of nearly 350 in Panama City, even as the LATAM market is registering a downturn this year. With an excellent series of networking events and social activities, the annual event reinforced its reputation as one of the best ways for new companies to learn about the region, and those already working in Latin America to establish new relationships. This year’s events featured an opening cocktail hosted by Duty Free Americas, an elegant gala dinner put on by Grupo Wisa, and luncheons sponsored by Buch + Deichmann, JTI and Dufry. See pages 1 & 2.
Special congratulations to Essence Corp.’s Jean-Jacques Bona, winner of the ASUTIL’s 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Despite the challenges facing South America’s travel retail industry this year, ASUTIL President Enrique Urioste tells TMI that he thinks the “worst is behind us.” Read full interview on page 2.
In other ASSOCIATION NEWS, Tax Free World Association has opened online registration for the 2015 TFWA World Exhibition & Conference, taking place in Cannes on Oct. 18-23. Further details on page 1.
AIRPORT NEWS. Delta Air Lines last week unveiled the completed $249-million refurbishment of Terminal 5 AT Los Angeles International Airport. The upgraded facilities even includes an exclusive check-in area and access to a dedicated security checkpoint. Page 1.
AT THE BORDER. Canada has announced that it is going forward with a new bridge linking Windsor, Ontario to Detroit on the U.S. side, Canada’s most important trade artery. Page 3.
CRUISE NEWS. Carnival Cruise Line has announced that it is banning travelers from bringing their own bottled beverages onboard, as a way to prevent “guests” who try to smuggle in alcohol. Wonder if this will increase onboard duty free sales of spirits? Page 4.
SUPPLY SIDE. Imperial Tobacco has completed its acquisition of US cigarette and e-cigarette brands from Reynolds and Lorillard. Page 3.
Haleybrooke is partnering with 1911 Spirits, the family company of Ed Brennan, former Group Chairman and CEO of DFS Group. Brennan says he has been positioning the company for growth in the two years since retiring from DFS. The company produces vodka, gin, hard cider and wine, all made from apples grown in upstate New York. Page 3.
Brown-Forman is getting into the Irish whiskey business, and will invest some $50 million to build a new distillery in County Meath, Ireland. Page 4.
Tullamore D.E.W. has unveiled the world’s first cider cask finished Irish whiskey, which will be available exclusively in travel retail stores. Page 4.
TMI publisher Lois Pasternak had the privilege of attending the IATA World Summit which took place in Miami Beach last week. We will be carrying news from the global event over the next several issues.
